WWW Wednesdays (Mar. 30)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

The Daughter's Walk is a book for me to review, and it's pretty interesting. It's based on true historical events.

King's Cross is something I'm going slowly through. Keller teaches from the book of Mark.

• What did you recently finish reading?

No Graven Image by Elisabeth Elliot was an interesting novel about a missionary going to the Quichua Indians of Ecuador. I liked it.

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Thicker Than Blood by C.J. Darlington is most likely my next read. It's part of my TBR Challenge 2011 and my Spring Reading Thing Challenge. The only thing that will keep me from it is if my next two books arrive in the mail that I need to review.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge (Mar. 23)

I'm linking up with From This Side of the Pond today.

1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem. What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

I like to walk at the park for exercise. It's about the only form of exercise that I can stay motivated with. Once spring arrives I can tolerate the temperatures.

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

It wouldn't be anybody famous. But my sweet friend, Judy, is a terrific cook. If she cooked dinner in my kitchen, it would probably be the one time we had a really good meal because I'm more of a sloppy joes, frozen pizza, and frozen meal kit kind of cook. Judy's homemade pizzeria style pizza is to die for.

3. When was the last time you flew a kite?

I can't remember, it was so long ago. I'm sure I had to have been 10 years old or younger. Would you even believe it if I told you that flying kites scared me? I think I was either afraid they would get tangled up in a tree or hit electrical lines.

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

Anything having to do with math

5. What flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

photo © 2009 anam_uk | more info (via: Wylio)

 

 

 

 

My parents gave me Sterling Roses for my high school graduation because my school colors were purple and white. I had never seen purple roses before, and they were beautiful.

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school years?

President Reagan was shot when I was in the 6th grade. I remember getting home from school and watching the footage over and over and over again on the news.

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (you know- crap, shoot, friggin' ?)

I do not swear, but I have been known to say crap when I'm really annoyed and all worked up over some issue. Not that I'm proud of it. I don't want to be a poor testimony for the Lord.

8. Insert your own random thought here-

I saw this last week, and it's really cute, especially if you're a dog lover.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge (Mar. 9)

I'm joining in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond today...

 

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year...do you participate and if so, in what way?

I've been a Baptist all my life, and Lent isn't something that we've observed.

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year) So....butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? Ewwww, no thanks!! What's your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?

I haven't heard of Shrove Tuesday before, so I didn't know about the pancake eating. I love pancakes, but I don't eat them very often. I do enjoy a standard pancake with butter and syrup.

3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What's your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? That's two questions I know but they're lightweights.

photo © 2006 Dan Huntington | more info (via: Wylio)

In spring I enjoy Hyacinths the most. They have a sweet smell. I don't suffer with springtime allergies.

4. "Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves." Author unknown. Agree or disagree? Why?

Okay, this is kind of a deep question for me at this time of the morning. I'm going with my first thought, which is pretty superficial. I do base my opinions of people based on what I see in them. Yet there are times I will look at people's failures and see my own. I should do it more because it would cause me to extend more mercy to others.

5. Since it's "March" and also the season of Mardi Gras...have you ever been in a parade? What's the best parade you've ever seen?

The only parade I was in was when I was just a young girl. We lived in a suburban neighborhood that had a bike parade to celebrate the 4th of July. I believe I participated only one year. My friend and I decorated our bikes with streamers. I also remember that we wanted the bikes to make noise as we rode. We cut small squares of cardboard and taped them to the spokes of our bicycle tires. As we rode there was a wonderful tapping rhythm, and even weeks after the parade was over, we kept the cardboard on because we enjoyed the noise.

6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you_________?

our debt is paid in full. (Lord willing, that will happen within the year.)

 7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

My van is a bit dirty on the outside. The inside could probably use a vacuum, and I have a couple bags of clothes that need to be dropped off at the donation box I pass almost every day. Otherwise, I just don't keep junk in my vehicle.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had a nightmare that I ran into Judy's newly refurbished Islander Jeep in her driveway and scratched the paint. She wasn't there at the time, but it was a horror to me. I couldn't bear to tell her.

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Teaser Tuesdays (Mar. 8)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

My Teaser:

"A storm blew out of a clear sky when he breathed his last upon the cross." The squad leader quickly made the sign against the evil eye.

The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke

Kindle edition: Location 253-63

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Until my blogging inspiration returns, I'll jump in here as I can.  I've seen the Wednesday Hodgepodge link up every week on one of my friend's blogs, so today seems like a really good day to answer some hodgepodge questions.

                                                                      

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

Every year my side of the family gathers on Christmas Eve night for finger foods, reading the Christmas story, and exchanging gifts.  That includes me and my husband, Mom & Dad, and my sister & her family. This year we add my grandma, since she moved in with my parents at the start of 2010.  It's pretty much the highlight of Christmas for us because we get to eat all those little goodies like meatballs, shrimp cocktail, smokies in a blanket, and especially the baked goods.  (Sugar cookies are my favorite.).

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include the Bible here)

This is a tough one to answer because I've read a lot of books, and many are new favorites.  I'm going to choose two (or three), one fiction and one non-fiction. 

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury was fascinating to me because it introduced me to the world of autism, and it was also the first book I had read by Kingsbury.  The story gave me goosebumps.  I must say that a tie for favorite fiction would also be How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser.  Loved that book!

Under non-fiction I have to choose Outrageous Mercy by William Farley.  He's a new author to me as well, and he really gave me new eyes to better understand God's justice and love in a way I had not grasped before.  I think everyone needs to read this book because it's about making the cross central in everything we do... live, serve and worship.

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

I have a cat and a dog, and we allow them on the furniture.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to enjoy them as pets.  I'd have to crawl around on the floor with them, and you know, I've got old knees at 38.

4. What event in 2010 are you most thankful for?

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble remembering a lot of highlights from 2010.  So the most recent event that stands out in my mind just happened a couple weeks ago.  A dear friend in our church, Martha, passed away from pancreatic cancer, and Judy and I were asked to sing at her funeral.  We sang the hymn "I Love to Tell the Story" because it embodied what her life was about.  I cannot express the filling of joy I experienced in those moments of singing, praising the Lord for His gospel and in honoring our friend for her faithfulness to the gospel.

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

I had the privilege of being a speaker at a ladies luncheon at church in May.  It was both challenging and encouraging to me.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

FOE!!!  The one and only time I tried brussel sprouts was at a buffet.  I took only one, just to say I tried it.  I put it in my mouth and started chewing, and all I wanted to do was spit it back out.  Ugh!  How does anyone eat those things?

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I am uncertain.  This question would be easier for me to answer if it was who I would NOT nominate.  *cough* Nancy Pelosi *cough*

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I got a new phone this week, and it's a smart phone.  I'm totally enthralled with the technology.  I mean, really.  I can't believe what this Android phone can do.  The only thing it's missing is the ability to "beam me up".  Now that WOULD be something!

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Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge: Wrap Up

It's the first day of winter, which means it's time to wrap up the Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge with our host Callapidder Days.  I enjoyed having something to challenge me to read, although my reading lists changed not too long after I chose my books. 

These are the ones I read:

Fiction:

• Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr
• Masquerade by Nancy Moser
• The Intervention by Terri Blackstock
• The Telling by Beverly Lewis (audio)
• Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury
• The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
• A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury
• Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland

Non-fiction:

• The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul
• Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie (a devotional for review that I simply skimmed it)
• Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley
• Outrageous Mercy by William Farley

**My top recommendations from this list are The Intervention, Unlocked, The Holiness of God, and Outrageous Mercy.**

These are the ones I either didn't get to or just set aside for later:

A  Woman's Place - Lynn Austin

Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins

In My Father's House - Brock & Bodie Thoene

The Joy of Fearing God - Jerry Bridges

The Divorce Dilemma - Dr. John MacArthur

The Fear Factor by Wayne and Joshua Mack (a study I'm still working on)

Overall I'd say I did fairly well.  That's a lot of books for me to complete in that period of time.  I look forward to the spring when Callapidder Days hosts another reading challenge.

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"Fall Into Reading" Question of the Week

Since I am participating with the Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge at Callapidder Days, I thought I better jump in with the group and answer the reading question of the week.

Do you eat/drink while reading? If so, do you have some favorite reading snacks?

No way!  To be honest, there are a couple reasons that I don't eat and/or drink while I'm reading.  I've never been one to munch while I read.  I find it distracting.  If I'm eating, then I'll only be focused on whatever I'm eating and totally disregard the book.  I would end up reading the same paragraph repeatedly out of distraction. 

Also, I do not want to get crumbs or stains on my books.  And if I ever spilled a drink on my book?  It would be an utter tragedy!

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Fall Into Reading 2010

I've already been reading a lot this year, so I'm going to join in with Callapidder Days and participate in her Fall Into Reading carnival.  To sum it up... I choose the books that I intend to read during the fall season (Sept. 22-Dec. 20) and put that list here on my blog. 

Here are the books on my shelf that I will hopefully read by December 20th.  There's no penalty for not completing the goal.  It's all just for fun.  Maybe it will help motivate you to pick up a book or two in the next couple of months, if you've not been intentional about it.

Fiction:

• Love's First Bloom - Delia Parr
• Masquerade - Nancy Moser
• The Intervention - Terri Blackstock
• A  Woman's Place - Lynn Austin
• Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins
• In My Father's House - Brock & Bodie Thoene  

Non-fiction: 

• The Fear Factor - Wayne and Joshua Mack
• The Joy of Fearing God - Jerry Bridges
• Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament - Nancy Guthrie
• The Divorce Dilemma - Dr. John MacArthur

Happy reading, friends!

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Memory Monday - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

I came across a verse this morning in my quiet time that struck a chord with me.  It's in a passage that I'm familiar with, both having been counseled by it and counseling other people with it. 

The reason it really hit me today is because it deals with affliction and looking beyond my temporary circumstances.  I've been afflicted for some time in a particularly hard circumstance, as well as some other various circumstances in my relationships and church ministry. 

Affliction hurts, and it doesn't feel light.  But the apostle Paul calls affliction "light" when viewed through eternity.  He exhorts us to look ahead to the future glory and not focus on these temporary circumstances because they are just that.  Temporary.  That's hard.

I need God to renew my mind with the truth of His Word, so I guess that's why I'm choosing these scriptures to memorize this week.  In all honesty, I'd rather memorize something else...something easier to soak up.  But I need this.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

*Are you memorizing God's Word this week?  Want to join in Memory Monday?  Go over to The Simple Wife and link up with her.

  

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A Very Random Random Dozen

                                      

It's Wednesday and another session with Linda and her Random Dozen.  Does anyone see the irony in the fact that I have to display this picture of donuts on my blog every time I do this meme?  Oh, Lid, if you only knew...

 

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

I never had a librarian come after me, but I did have one get a little stern with me once.  Many years ago my record showed that I had 2 books that had been overdue for something like a year.  What didn't make sense was that they were books from the children's department.  Something about science experiments, if I remember correctly.  Well, I don't have children, so I'd have no need for checking out children's books.  The librarian tried to pin it on me, and I continued to insist I don't check out kids' books.  She finally gave up and marked it as lost in the system.

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

Gift wrap organization?  What's that?  I basically put tubes of wrapping paper in a corner in the spare bedroom and keep a small tote with tissue paper and odds and ends.  I never purchase the stuff ahead of time, though.  I buy it as needed.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

No, I can't say that I have.  It's amazing that I've lived in Indiana for 37 years and have never experienced a tornado.  I've been nearby when some have come through and have seen high winds and green-colored sky, but I've never actually been in the middle of one.

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

"Weekend In New England" YouTube video

Barry who????  Okay, I am sooo kidding.  I do know who Barry Manilow is, but that's only because a long time ago my mom had all his records, which were played a lot at my house in the 70's.  I was a kid. 

I didn't actually know the title of my favorite song, but I knew what it sounded like.  So I just went looking for it on YouTube and discovered it is called Weekend in New England.  Oh, my heart, I love that song.  I think it's the melody and the words combined in such a way that just tugs at my heart.  If you need to see Barry perform this, here's the video for your own enjoyment.  You know, I only provide quality entertainment here at the blog...

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

I'm going to take a lot of liberty with my answer.  When I turned 7 my parents threw a surprise party for me and invited all my little schoolmate girlfriends.  Although it wasn't a costume, per se, Mom had made me a skirt and bonnet out of a red calico that matched, and she made each of the girls matching bonnets to wear at the party, too.  It was a Holly Hobby theme because I was really into her at the time.

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

I use the dictionary more.  Usually I'm looking to see if a word means what I think it means.  You know how you use a word for years, and then you go to use it in your blog and aren't even sure if you've been using it correctly?  (Like for question #5 I had to look up "per se")

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

I love granola.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

I remember when I got my first credit card after entering college I saw this hair flip tool that would turn your ponytail inside out.  I ordered it and used it about 5 times.  I could never get my hair to look quite right. 

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

It's funny that Lid would ask this question because of my blog post of yesterday about my husband getting locked out of the house.  I don't think I've ever had to crawl through a window. 

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

No, I don't.  Infatuation, yes.  Love, no.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

I own 5 pairs of jeans that I wear.  I have a couple others in my drawer that I've been holding onto for skinny Liz, but I haven't seen her in a long time.  Sure wish she'd come back and wear her jeans already.

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

I think it would probably be a piano.  That's what I think I'm most known for in church ministry because it's what I've been doing the longest.  I think it would be cool if it had a bar of music floating out and into the air.  Someone recently gave me a gift for playing at their daughter's wedding.  It's a grand piano encased in a crystal cube, and the music is floating out the top of the piano.  It's beautiful.  This is a picture of it.

                                 

For more Random Dozen or to link up with your own, hop on over to Linda's 2nd Cup of Coffee.

  

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Memory Monday -Isaiah 12:2

How can it be Monday already?  I guess that's how I feel every week.  My weekends fly by at the speed of light, and then I'm back to the daily grind.

This week's Memory Monday verse for me is found in Isaiah.  It reminds me that the LORD is my salvation. 

I tend to look for salvation in everything else... donuts, chocolate, a nap, TV, browsing Facebook, a friend, etc....  Whenever I look for strength (or more like distraction?) in anything other than God, I'm still left with problems and a heap of restlessness, anxiety, and fear.  God is my only true salvation.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." ~ Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)

Are you working on scripture memory?  Join The Simple Wife every Monday at her blog to share your scripture for the week.

  

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Random Dozen... Very Random

It's Tuesday night as I write this.  I've been home all day nursing a dizzy head.  The dizzy is gone now, but the effects of the Dramamine linger on.  Feeling a little spacey right now.  As I answer my Random Dozen, I hope my sentences make sense.  Forgive me if there are any typos.

                                          

1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?

I can't say that I love those sandals... or even like them.  I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from wearing them, though.  They just aren't my taste.

2. What is your favorite pizza?

Any kind that my friend Judy makes!!!  She knows how to make pizza like the pizzerias.  I don't care if it's veggie, pepperoni, hamburger or sausage... she makes an awesome pizza.  People at church put in requests for her pizza.  We joke about her doing pizza delivery out of her home.

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

Every time I've watched the Biggest Loser I've thought about how I'd like to have their gym.  At least, I wouldn't mind having all their equipment.

4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

I guess that would be the South Bend Chocolate Cafe'.  They specialize in chocolate, or did you figure that out already by the title?  They make large and delicious desserts.  I've had cake there before that I couldn't eat all at one sitting.  I had to take the rest home in a box.

5. What is your current favorite snack?

I like Brown Cow cream top yogurt in raspberry or strawberry flavor.  It's so delicious and better than any yogurt out there.  Cream top is the way to go, baby.  It's good for you.

6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")
A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor

This is a hard question for me.  I don't believe I would fare well at any of these reality shows.  Since Lid won't let me off without answering, I'll have to pick Biggest Loser.  I cannot see myself capable of learning dances or even being flexible enough to do what all they do.  Survivor?  Forget about it!  I don't like dirt, bugs, reptiles or going more than one day without a shower.  I also enjoy food and running water...oh, and toilets.  I'd never survive!

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

I'd say my vehicle is a 7 on the cleanliness scale.  The dash is dusty, there's some pet hair on the seats, and the floors need to be vacuumed. 

8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

It doesn't feel like spring until the kids are playing at the park where I take my walks.  It makes me happy when everyone returns.  Life at the park makes me happy.

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

I can't remember the last time I laughed really hard.  I did get seriously tickled the other day during the Ultimate Blog Party when I visited A Daily Dose of Toni's blog and saw her dancing in a vlog.  The woman seems to have no qualms about being crazy for people, and I think it's hilarious.

10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

A goal?  What's that?  Okay, I'm so kidding.  I have a goal to read every day, particularly non-fiction.  I've even got an Excel sheet that I fill out with how many pages I read each month and am adding it up for the year.  It helps me have an idea of the progress I'm making.  I can't say I'm doing very well with my goal these days.  I do read, but not as avidly as I want to or probably should.

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.

I was re-reading a chapter from Sacred Marriage today and came across this quote again.  It is very thought provoking to me.

Most of us, in fact, probably never approached the relationship of marriage with the thought that "apathy" is the antithesis of Christian love.  As long as we're not mean, vindictive, or cruel, we may think we're fulfilling our Christian duty.  But we're not. The truth is, I owe my wife this "gift of self."  When I refuse to fall forward and begin withholding myself, I am saying in effect, "I will no longer be married to you on a spiritual level."  (Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas, pg. 161)

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

I don't have kids, so I'll answer this as it pertains to a friend.  I know that if I say I'll ride in Judy's Jeep, she is very happy.  The Jeep is fun, but if you have a lot of hair that's a bit unruly and you don't come prepared to keep it restrained in some fashion, riding in a Jeep with the top off and the wind blowing like crazy can make for a bad hair day.  I just like to be prepared.

 

If you'd enjoy meeting Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee, go on over to her blog now and say hello.  Link up with the other Random Dozen-ers.

Not For Lack of Desire

It's funny that I'm sitting here staring at a blank page in my Windows Live Writer and have no idea what to say.  Blog hopping at the Ultimate Blog Party has me feeling inspired to write more often.  I thought maybe my words would come more easily now, but alas, here I sit.  The page is still blank.  Okay, it's not blank anymore because I just wrote those last four sentences.

So while I'm thinking of something to say, I guess this is as good a time as any to give you a heads up about my Friday post.  I've got another Chat Pack entry coming your way, and I answer the question by vlog.  I'll be telling a story from my childhood, so it should be fun.

Anyways, back to blog ideas.  I thought maybe I could join ohamanda for her Top Ten Tuesday today, but I couldn't come up with any kind of list that included ten things.  Ideas that were swarming around in my head were:

1.  Top Ten Things I Did Today (I didn't think you'd really care to know that I folded 3 baskets of laundry and cooked dinner.)

2.  Top Ten Places That My Cat Has Puked Since Last Week (ummm yeah... that's real blog worthy stuff right there)

3.  Top Ten Favorite New Blogs I Found During The Ultimate Blog Party (I'm not quite ready to put that list together, but I think a link-love post will be forthcoming.)

4.  Top Ten Ideas For A Top Ten Post (Yeah, see the problem is that I haven't come up with 10 ideas yet, so that's a no-go.)

Okay, so I'm scrapping the Top Ten idea. 

And since nothing else is coming to me right now, I'm just going to wrap this up and call it a post.

Better come back tomorrow.  Please?